Students find JEE sums very difficult at the start because of the lack of clarity in the underlying concepts. And, believe me, to master concepts for IIT-JEE, is not easy. A sincere effort coupled with motivation and enduring dedication will guarantee you a seat in the IIT?s.
When should one start preparing?
Ideally, one should begin as soon as the 11th standard begins. For ICSE/CBSE students, few chapters in the IIT syllabus have already been covered at the school level.
Worst Case Scenario ? One may consider beginning fresh 6-8 months into 11th standard. You must be prepared to put in incessant, hard work for the next one and a half years. The earlier you begin, the more stress-free and comfortable you feel at the later stages.
How do I choose the correct coaching institute?
This is the career determining decision, and it is critical to choose the correct institute. Improper teaching confuses students and creates doubts.
Before joining an institute consider:
How old is the institute?
How many students have cleared the IIT-JEE in the recent past?
Ideally 40-50 is good. Also observe how may top rankers have they produced
- How experienced is their faculty?
Senior professors communicate capably and explain nicely. However, they may be commercial. Young professors are dedicated but lack in-depth knowledge of concepts and student familiarity. A healthy student-teacher rapport is imperative.
- What is the quality (difficulty level etc.) of their study material and problem files?
Uninterested institutes usually replicate sums from popular-market texts without any effort on their part. Hence, no variety in sums; also, the material is useless if you have the book yourself.
- What is the frequency of their tests?
Preferably, one screening and mains each in a month is good. The habit of giving tests must be inculcated and cultivated ad infinitum which prepares the student from unnecessary tensions and anxieties on the big day!
- When do they intend completing the syllabus?
Usually, 5-7 months before IIT-JEE Screening is just right. Lots of time must be kept for revision, mock tests and difficulty solving sessions. Late completion, usually make students uncomfortable especially with 12th boards fast approaching.
Fees I suppose should not be a problem. Don?t hesitate to invest a little extra for a good coaching institute because that?s what counts in the long run.
Beware of deceptive gimmicks. Corroborate by contacting present students in that institute.
Which books should I use?
There are infinite books available in the market. No book has all the concepts required for IIT-JEE in one package.
Physics: -
- Fundamentals Of Physics ? Resnick, Halliday, Walker
Excellent book for preliminary understanding and concept application. Entirely narrative and interactive, this book is well liked among all aspirants.
- Concepts Of Physics ? HC Verma
Concise, lucid and well-structured book. Good to begin problem solving, although it is of quite elementary level.
- Problems In Physics ? IE Irodov
Tough problems is its forte. One must complete elementary Calculus to attempt problems from this book effectively. Students usually get the hang of this book in the 12th.
Chemistry: -
- IIT Chemistry ? OP Aggarwal
Comprehensive, eloquent and its problems make this book a must for every candidate.
- Organic Chemistry ? Morrison & Boyd
Probably, the best book available for IIT-JEE preparation available. Then again, selective reading of this ?Mahabharata? is decisive.
Maths: -
- IIT Mathematics ? ML Khanna or Dasgupta
Great collection of problems. Maths is all about practice, and these books don?t disappoint.
- Trigonometry / Co-Ordinate Geometry ? SL Loney
Concepts handled really well. Step-by-step approach is its strong suit.
- Problems in Calculus in One Variable ? IA Maron
Not very impressive, but its lucid presentation, and tough problems make this book worth using. Remember, Calculus mastery is what will make you an IITian.
Are Correspondence Courses necessary?
FIITJEE and Brilliant Tutorials study material is not as impressive as a pure concepts textbook. They are good for extra practice. Basically, I consider them to be revision notes and coneept capsules, which are not to be used as the first line of attack for concepts. However, national level test series? are quite useful as they are the ultimate indicators of what your position is in the country.
Science Magazines like P, C, M today, Junior Science Refresher are excellent for new types of problems and considered a must for reference.
How do I prepare?
Don?t read books like novels or newspapers. A pencil in hand underlining keywords and new formulae is a must. The same chapter must be read over and over again (even 10 times) until the concepts are embedded into your brain. Casual reading amounts to not reading it at all, because you will forget practically everything in a week?s time.
It is very important to make things count at the groundwork and fundamentals, because a year later, it?s a fight for time. Attempt simple problems first. A good start is the school/college textbook. Once, mastery is captured on the basics, and then you should consider solving higher-level problems.
Never look at solved solutions until your completely unsure on how to go about the problem. Even a slight hunch on the approach may be enough to solve the problem, and you must be patient and constantly keep pondering till the flash strikes you.
Revision, say once every fortnight, is of fundamental importance. A brief reminder can bring back volumes of information that was rotting at the back of your head for a week or so.
Keep in touch with your lecturer constantly. Get your doubts cleared as and when you have them. Hanging on to misunderstandings may prove disastrous if the same concept is used in another chapter.
Only when you are completely familiar with a topic and have attempted all the available problems, must you consider taking a test. Tests are an important gauge. Bad marks in tests reflect imperfections or incomplete preparation. Remember, bad marks mean you have not prepared and do not reflect on your aptitude to solve problems. Even scholars and prodigies will not clear IIT-JEE if they don?t put in raw hard work. Genius is the ability to take pains.
How do I handle temperament?(Miscellaneous)
Nervousness is the single most influential aspect that can create a world of problems. Whenever you feel nervous, remember that all your competitors are feeling it too and that it?s perfectly normal.
Low scores in exams must be perceived positively. You now realize that I must start again more intelligently and stress on the concepts better. In the early part of your preparation, even getting 2-3 out of 10 problems correct is a good start. Never consider yourself mediocre because someone else in your class, or your friend is getting better marks and understanding better. It may be that he/she is doing something that you are not.
Time Management will allow you to study the requisite amount, sleep (7-8 hours is a must), commit to college and classes, as well as give you the odd occasion to go for movies and relax. Studying is first priority. Movies and dating will not get you into IIT. Avoid phone calls. Talking also consumes a lot of usable energy. Control TV time to maximum an hour a day. Relax by walking, listening to music or anything that does not stress your eyes or your brain. Physical exercise is fine.
Other factors like family support; everlasting resolve, teachers? guidance and emphasis on concepts also play a key role ultimately for your selection.